| 1
| Save me, O God, *
for the waters have risen up to my neck.
|
| 2
| I am sinking in deep mire, *
and there is no firm ground for my feet.
|
| 3
| I have come into deep waters, *
and the torrent washes over me.
|
| 4
| I have grown weary with my crying;
my throat is inflamed; *
my eyes have failed from looking for my God.
|
| 5
| Those who hate me without a cause are more
than the hairs of my head;
my lying foes who would destroy me are mighty. *
Must I then give back what I never stole?
|
| 6
| O God, you know my foolishness, *
and my faults are not hidden from you.
|
| 7
| Let not those who hope in you be put to shame
through me, Lord GOD of hosts; *
let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me, O God
of Israel.
|
| 8
| Surely, for your sake have I suffered reproach,
*
and shame has covered my face.
|
| 9
| I have become a stranger to my own kindred,
*
an alien to my mother's children.
|
| 10
| Zeal for your house has eaten me up; *
the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.
|
| 11
| I humbled myself with fasting, *
but that was turned to my reproach.
|
| 12
| I put on sack-cloth also, *
and became a byword among them.
|
| 13
| Those who sit at the gate murmur against
me, *
and the drunkards make songs about me.
|
| 14
| But as for me, this is my prayer to you,
*
at the time you have set, O LORD:
|
| 15
| "In your great mercy, O God, *
answer me with your unfailing help.
|
| 16
| Save me from the mire; do not let me sink;
*
let me be rescued from those who hate me
and out of the deep waters.
|
| 17
| Let not the torrent of waters wash over me,
neither let the deep swallow me up; *
do not let the Pit shut its mouth upon me.
|
| 18
| Answer me, O LORD, for your love is kind;
*
in your great compassion, turn to me."
|
| 19
| "Hide not your face from your servant;
*
be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.
|
| 20
| Draw near to me and redeem me; *
because of my enemies deliver me.
|
| 21
| You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor;
*
my adversaries are all in your sight."
|
| 22
| Reproach has broken my heart, and it cannot
be healed; *
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I could find no one.
|
| 23
| They gave me gall to eat, *
and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
|
| 24
| Let the table before them be a trap *
and their sacred feasts a snare.
|
| 25
| Let their eyes be darkened, that they may
not see, *
and give them continual trembling in their loins.
|
| 26
| Pour out your indignation upon them, *
and let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.
|
| 27
| Let their camp be desolate, *
and let there be none to dwell in their tents.
|
| 28
| For they persecute him whom you have stricken
*
and add to the pain of those whom you have pierced.
|
| 29
| Lay to their charge guilt upon guilt, *
and let them not receive your vindication.
|
| 30
| Let them be wiped out of the book of the
living *
and not be written among the righteous.
|
| 31
| As for me, I am afflicted and in pain; *
your help, O God, will lift me up on high.
|
| 32
| I will praise the Name of God in song; *
I will proclaim his greatness with thanksgiving.
|
| 33
| This will please the LORD more than an offering
of oxen, *
more than bullocks with horns and hoofs.
|
| 34
| The afflicted shall see and be glad; *
you who seek God, your heart shall live.
|
| 35
| For the LORD listens to the needy, *
and his prisoners he does not despise.
|
| 36
| Let the heavens and the earth praise him,
*
the seas and all that moves in them;
|
| 37
| For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities
of Judah; *
they shall live there and have it in possession.
|
| 38
| The children of his servants will inherit
it, *
and those who love his Name will dwell therein.
|
